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Energy Drinks (energy + drink)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Medical Sciences100%

Selected Abstracts

Does an Energy Drink Modify the Effects of Alcohol in a Maximal Effort Test?

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 9 2004
Sionaldo Eduardo Ferreira
Background: There are popular reports on the combined use of alcohol and energy drinks (such as Red Bull® and similar beverages, which contain caffeine, taurine, carbohydrates, etc.) to reduce the depressant effects of alcohol on central nervous system, but no controlled studies have been performed. The main purpose of this study was to verify the effects of alcohol, and alcohol combined with energy drink, on the performance of volunteers in a maximal effort test (cycle ergometer) and also on physiological indicators (oxygen uptake, ventilatory threshold, respiratory exchange rate, heart rate, and blood pressure), biochemical variables (glucose, lactate, insulin, cortisol, ACTH, dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline), and blood alcohol levels. Methods: Fourteen healthy subjects completed a double-blind protocol made up of four sessions: control (water), alcohol (1.0 g/kg), energy drink (3.57 ml/kg Red Bull®), and alcohol + energy drink, each 1 week apart. The effort test began 60 min after drug or control ingestion, and the dependent variables were measured until 60 min after the test. Results: Heart rate at the ventilatory threshold was higher in the alcohol and alcohol + energy drink sessions in comparison with control and energy drink sessions. Although in comparison to the control session, the peak oxygen uptake was 5.0% smaller after alcohol ingestion, 1.4% smaller after energy drink, and 2.7% smaller after the combined ingestion, no significant differences were detected. Lactate levels (30 min after drug ingestion, 30 and 60 min after the effort test) and noradrenaline levels (30 min after the effort test) were higher in the alcohol and alcohol + energy drink sessions compared with the control session. Conclusions: The performance in the maximal effort test observed after alcohol + energy drink ingestion was similar to that observed after alcohol only. No significant differences between alcohol and alcohol + energy drink were detected in the physiological and biochemical parameters analyzed. Our findings suggest that energy drinks, at least in the tested doses, did not improve performance or reduce alterations induced by acute alcohol ingestion. [source]

Intake of Energy Drinks in Association With Alcoholic Beverages in a Cohort of Students of the School of Medicine of the University of Messina

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 10 2007
Alessandro Oteri
Background:, Energy drinks (ED) are a widely used group of beverages known for their stimulant effects on central nervous system (CNS). The main components of ED are caffeine, taurine, carbohydrates, glucuronolactone, inositol, niacin, pantenol, and , -complex vitamins. The studies evaluating the effects of ED describe improvements in attention and/or reaction times and indices of alertness. It has been also shown that combination of caffeine and glucose, fundamental constituents of ED, can ameliorate deficits in cognitive performance and subjective fatigue during extended periods of cognitive demand. Moreover, the associated ingestion of alcohol and ED has recently been observed to be becoming more and more widespread. Methods:, With the aim to know the habits and uses of students, we administered a questionnaire containing questions regarding ED drinking alone or in association with alcoholic beverages. Five hundred students of the School of Medicine of the University of Messina were interviewed, and 450 filled the questionnaire. Results:, A total of 56.9% of students declared using ED. A great part of users (48.4%) associate frequently ED and alcohol. In particular, 35.8% of ED + alcohol users have used ED + alcohol more than 3 times in the last month. Distinguishing the users into 2 groups (users of ED + alcohol and users of both ED and ED + alcohol), we observed in the second group a major use of cocktail containing a mix of ED and alcoholic beverages. This difference between the 2 groups is less represented about the ingestion of ED + alcohol in the night. Conclusions:, Our data indicate that association of ED + alcohol is very popular among students. This behavior can be dangerous. In fact, the combination of ED + alcoholic drinks can reduce adversive symptoms of alcohol intoxication including the depressant effects. As consequence, users of ED + alcoholic beverages might not feel the signs of alcohol intoxication, thus increasing the probability of accidents and/or favoring the possibility of development of alcohol dependence. [source]

Does an Energy Drink Modify the Effects of Alcohol in a Maximal Effort Test?

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 9 2004
Sionaldo Eduardo Ferreira
Background: There are popular reports on the combined use of alcohol and energy drinks (such as Red Bull® and similar beverages, which contain caffeine, taurine, carbohydrates, etc.) to reduce the depressant effects of alcohol on central nervous system, but no controlled studies have been performed. The main purpose of this study was to verify the effects of alcohol, and alcohol combined with energy drink, on the performance of volunteers in a maximal effort test (cycle ergometer) and also on physiological indicators (oxygen uptake, ventilatory threshold, respiratory exchange rate, heart rate, and blood pressure), biochemical variables (glucose, lactate, insulin, cortisol, ACTH, dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline), and blood alcohol levels. Methods: Fourteen healthy subjects completed a double-blind protocol made up of four sessions: control (water), alcohol (1.0 g/kg), energy drink (3.57 ml/kg Red Bull®), and alcohol + energy drink, each 1 week apart. The effort test began 60 min after drug or control ingestion, and the dependent variables were measured until 60 min after the test. Results: Heart rate at the ventilatory threshold was higher in the alcohol and alcohol + energy drink sessions in comparison with control and energy drink sessions. Although in comparison to the control session, the peak oxygen uptake was 5.0% smaller after alcohol ingestion, 1.4% smaller after energy drink, and 2.7% smaller after the combined ingestion, no significant differences were detected. Lactate levels (30 min after drug ingestion, 30 and 60 min after the effort test) and noradrenaline levels (30 min after the effort test) were higher in the alcohol and alcohol + energy drink sessions compared with the control session. Conclusions: The performance in the maximal effort test observed after alcohol + energy drink ingestion was similar to that observed after alcohol only. No significant differences between alcohol and alcohol + energy drink were detected in the physiological and biochemical parameters analyzed. Our findings suggest that energy drinks, at least in the tested doses, did not improve performance or reduce alterations induced by acute alcohol ingestion. [source]

Influence of energy drinks and alcohol on post-exercise heart rate recovery and heart rate variability

CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY AND FUNCTIONAL IMAGING, Issue 1 2009
Urban Wiklund
Summary Background:, Media have anecdotally reported that drinking energy drinks in combination with alcohol and exercise could cause sudden cardiac death. This study investigated changes in the electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate variability after intake of an energy drink, taken in combination with alcohol and exercise. Methods:, Ten healthy volunteers (five men and five women aged 19,30) performed maximal bicycle ergometer exercise for 30 min after: (i) intake of 0·75 l of an energy drink mixed with alcohol; (ii) intake of energy drink; and, (iii) no intake of any drink. ECG was continuously recorded for analysis of heart rate variability and heart rate recovery. Results:, No subject developed any clinically significant arrhythmias. Post-exercise recovery in heart rate and heart rate variability was slower after the subjects consumed energy drink and alcohol before exercise, than after exercise alone. Conclusion:, The healthy subjects developed blunted cardiac autonomic modulation after exercising when they had consumed energy drinks mixed with alcohol. Although they did not develop any significant arrhythmia, individuals predisposed to arrhythmia by congenital or other rhythm disorders could have an increased risk for malignant cardiac arrhythmia in similar situations. [source]

A high sugar content, low caffeine drink does not alleviate sleepiness but may worsen it

HUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 5 2006
C. Anderson
Abstract Although the ingestion of high levels of glucose might have a short acting alerting effect, there is evidence of an ensuing enhancement of sleepiness in people already sleepy. Some ,energy drinks' contain large quantity of sugars. We compared 250 ml of a well known ,energy drink' (42 g sugars, containing a low [30 mg] level of caffeine for ,flavouring') with a nil sugar nil caffeine, similar tasting control. These were given a week apart, in a repeated measures, double blind, balanced design, to 10 participants sleep restricted to 5 h the prior night. They had a light lunch, consumed a drink at 13:50 h, and 10 min later underwent 3,×,30 min consecutive periods at a reaction time (RT) task (the Psychomotor Vigilance Test), separated by 3 min breaks when self-ratings of sleepiness were made. The energy drink did not counteract sleepiness, and led to slower RTs and more lapses during the final 30 min session, around 80 min after consumption. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Does an Energy Drink Modify the Effects of Alcohol in a Maximal Effort Test?

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 9 2004
Sionaldo Eduardo Ferreira
Background: There are popular reports on the combined use of alcohol and energy drinks (such as Red Bull® and similar beverages, which contain caffeine, taurine, carbohydrates, etc.) to reduce the depressant effects of alcohol on central nervous system, but no controlled studies have been performed. The main purpose of this study was to verify the effects of alcohol, and alcohol combined with energy drink, on the performance of volunteers in a maximal effort test (cycle ergometer) and also on physiological indicators (oxygen uptake, ventilatory threshold, respiratory exchange rate, heart rate, and blood pressure), biochemical variables (glucose, lactate, insulin, cortisol, ACTH, dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline), and blood alcohol levels. Methods: Fourteen healthy subjects completed a double-blind protocol made up of four sessions: control (water), alcohol (1.0 g/kg), energy drink (3.57 ml/kg Red Bull®), and alcohol + energy drink, each 1 week apart. The effort test began 60 min after drug or control ingestion, and the dependent variables were measured until 60 min after the test. Results: Heart rate at the ventilatory threshold was higher in the alcohol and alcohol + energy drink sessions in comparison with control and energy drink sessions. Although in comparison to the control session, the peak oxygen uptake was 5.0% smaller after alcohol ingestion, 1.4% smaller after energy drink, and 2.7% smaller after the combined ingestion, no significant differences were detected. Lactate levels (30 min after drug ingestion, 30 and 60 min after the effort test) and noradrenaline levels (30 min after the effort test) were higher in the alcohol and alcohol + energy drink sessions compared with the control session. Conclusions: The performance in the maximal effort test observed after alcohol + energy drink ingestion was similar to that observed after alcohol only. No significant differences between alcohol and alcohol + energy drink were detected in the physiological and biochemical parameters analyzed. Our findings suggest that energy drinks, at least in the tested doses, did not improve performance or reduce alterations induced by acute alcohol ingestion. [source]

Shifts in purchasing patterns of non-alcoholic, water-based beverages in Australia, 1997,2006

NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 4 2007
Gina LEVY
Abstract Aim:, To describe trends in purchasing patterns of non-alcoholic, water-based beverages (WBBs) in Australia, 1997,2006. Methods:, Trends in volume sales of WBBs were determined from data supplied by the Australian beverage industry, not including fruit juice or milk-based drinks. Change was calculated as per cent difference between 1997 and 2006, volume share by proportion of total sales in the category and per capita consumption by dividing total volume sales by population estimate for that year. Sugar supply from WBBs was calculated by multiplying sales by sugar content. Demographic trends from AC Nielsen surveys were shown as per cent households purchasing beverages and as volume share by age and sex. Results:, Total volume sales of WBBs increased by 13% from 1997 to 2006, largely accounted for by increases in sales of plain still water and non-sugar carbonated soft drink (CSD). Sales in the CSD category saw a shift away from sugar-sweetened to non-sugar. There was a concomitant increase in sales of sugar-sweetened sports and energy drinks, and iced tea. Younger people and high-income households were the major purchasers of CSDs, and for sports and energy drinks, it was young males. Conclusion:, The increased sales of beverages by 2006 appear to reflect a greater trend towards purchasing fluids, particularly increases in bottled water and non-sugar CSDs. Sugar supply from beverages has declined, mostly because of decreasing sales of sugar-sweetened CSDs since 2002. Industry-generated data proved useful in forming a picture of apparent non-alcoholic, WBB consumption patterns in Australia. [source]

Caffeinated Cocktails: Energy Drink Consumption, High-risk Drinking, and Alcohol-related Consequences among College Students

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 5 2008
Mary Claire O'Brien MD
Abstract Objectives:, The consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) is popular on college campuses in the United States. Limited research suggests that energy drink consumption lessens subjective intoxication in persons who also have consumed alcohol. This study examines the relationship between energy drink use, high-risk drinking behavior, and alcohol-related consequences. Methods:, In Fall 2006, a Web-based survey was conducted in a stratified random sample of 4,271 college students from 10 universities in North Carolina. Results:, A total of 697 students (24% of past 30-day drinkers) reported consuming AmED in the past 30 days. Students who were male, white, intramural athletes, fraternity or sorority members or pledges, and younger were significantly more likely to consume AmED. In multivariable analyses, consumption of AmED was associated with increased heavy episodic drinking (6.4 days vs. 3.4 days on average; p < 0.001) and twice as many episodes of weekly drunkenness (1.4 days/week vs. 0.73 days/week; p < 0.001). Students who reported consuming AmED had significantly higher prevalence of alcohol-related consequences, including being taken advantage of sexually, taking advantage of another sexually, riding with an intoxicated driver, being physically hurt or injured, and requiring medical treatment (p < 0.05). The effect of consuming AmED on driving while intoxicated depended on a student's reported typical alcohol consumption (interaction p = 0.027). Conclusions:, Almost one-quarter of college student current drinkers reported mixing alcohol with energy drinks. These students are at increased risk for alcohol-related consequences, even after adjusting for the amount of alcohol consumed. Further research is necessary to understand this association and to develop targeted interventions to reduce risk. [source]

Influence of energy drinks and alcohol on post-exercise heart rate recovery and heart rate variability

CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY AND FUNCTIONAL IMAGING, Issue 1 2009
Urban Wiklund
Summary Background:, Media have anecdotally reported that drinking energy drinks in combination with alcohol and exercise could cause sudden cardiac death. This study investigated changes in the electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate variability after intake of an energy drink, taken in combination with alcohol and exercise. Methods:, Ten healthy volunteers (five men and five women aged 19,30) performed maximal bicycle ergometer exercise for 30 min after: (i) intake of 0·75 l of an energy drink mixed with alcohol; (ii) intake of energy drink; and, (iii) no intake of any drink. ECG was continuously recorded for analysis of heart rate variability and heart rate recovery. Results:, No subject developed any clinically significant arrhythmias. Post-exercise recovery in heart rate and heart rate variability was slower after the subjects consumed energy drink and alcohol before exercise, than after exercise alone. Conclusion:, The healthy subjects developed blunted cardiac autonomic modulation after exercising when they had consumed energy drinks mixed with alcohol. Although they did not develop any significant arrhythmia, individuals predisposed to arrhythmia by congenital or other rhythm disorders could have an increased risk for malignant cardiac arrhythmia in similar situations. [source]

A high sugar content, low caffeine drink does not alleviate sleepiness but may worsen it

HUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 5 2006
C. Anderson
Abstract Although the ingestion of high levels of glucose might have a short acting alerting effect, there is evidence of an ensuing enhancement of sleepiness in people already sleepy. Some ,energy drinks' contain large quantity of sugars. We compared 250 ml of a well known ,energy drink' (42 g sugars, containing a low [30 mg] level of caffeine for ,flavouring') with a nil sugar nil caffeine, similar tasting control. These were given a week apart, in a repeated measures, double blind, balanced design, to 10 participants sleep restricted to 5 h the prior night. They had a light lunch, consumed a drink at 13:50 h, and 10 min later underwent 3,×,30 min consecutive periods at a reaction time (RT) task (the Psychomotor Vigilance Test), separated by 3 min breaks when self-ratings of sleepiness were made. The energy drink did not counteract sleepiness, and led to slower RTs and more lapses during the final 30 min session, around 80 min after consumption. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]